Magazine pencil



Feb. 19, 1929.

W. K. HOLMES MAGAZINEPENGIL Filed July 20, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Williamfiii olmpf,

ATTORNEY.

Feb. 19, 1929. 1,703,038

' w. K. HOLMES v MAGAZINE PENCIL Filed July 20, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR- William K170111065.

BY 2 I ATTORNEY WITNE SESV $6 1 fl y fi Patented Feb. 19, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM x. HOLMES, or GREAT NECK, NEW YORK.

MAGAZINE PENCIL;

Application filed July 20,

clutch-actuating means which is positive in as to ing mechanism thereof, the

its action and which positively precludes breakage of the leads by the grip of the clutch.

The invention furthermore comprehends an improved reciprocatory lead-feeding mechanism which functions in connection with leads of standard diameter lI'I'GSPGCtWG of their length.

As a still further object the invention comprehends in a magazine pencil a lead; feeding mechanism which is so constructed positively preclude jamming or clogging.

Uther objects reside in the simplicity of construction of the pencil and the lead-feedeconomy with which the same may be produced, and the general eificiency derived therefrom.

With the above recited and other objects in View, referenceis had to the following specification and accompanying drawings in which there is exhibited one example or embodiment of the invention, while the appended claims define the actual scope of the invention.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side View of a magazine pencil constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view therethrough taken a proximately on the line 22 of Fig. 1, and illustrating the lead-feeding mechanism in its normal retracted position;

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating the lead-feeding mechanism in its projected position;

Fig. 4; is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through the pencil with the lead feeding mechanism in elevation and with the parts in the position illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a similar view with the parts in the position illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a similar sectional View with the lead-feeding mechanism in section and with the F ig. 4:;

parts in the position illustrated in 1927. Serial No. 207,233.

Fig. 7 is a similar view with the parts in the position illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional View taken approximately on the line indicated at 88 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a similar sectional view taken approximately on the line indicated at 99 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the clutch element removed from the pencil.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, 11 designates an outer shell or easing which is of the conventional cylindrical form and which is provided with a' tapered lower end 12. A lead tube 13 extends axially upwardfrom the tapered end and is secured to the outer shell or casing at this point in any desired manner. Preferably the lead tube is attached to a substantially frusto-conical sleeve 14 which is soldered or otherwise secured within the tapered end 12 of the outer casing, aportion of the outer end of the lead tube projecting thcreboyond, which portion is longitudinally slitted at 15 to provide a radially contractile lead-gripping means which prevents accidental or gravitational discharge of the lead from the lead tube. The lead tube has an internal diameter approximately the same as the diameter of the leads L which are used in connection with the pencil. Except for an intermediate portion said lead tube is formed with an enlarged bore 16 and at this point the tube is provided with diametrically opposite slots 17 of the same length as the enlarged bore 16 and is further provided with upwardly extending exterior grooves 18in prolongation of the slots. At its extreme upper end the tube is provided with an enlarged annular head 19, the upper surface 20 of which tapers toward the central bore of the tube. A clutch element designated generally at 21 composed of a strip of resilient material bent medially of its length into substantially V-shape to provide a bight portion 22 and a pair of divergent arms 23 connected by the bight portion. The clutch element is cut away at 24 centrally from the bight to a point spaced from the free ends of the arms, the said cut-away portion being -of a width approximately equal to the distance between the inner walls of the grooves 18. The uncut terminals or free ends 25 of the arms are of a length slightly less than the length of the slots 17.

the dilference determining the length of the the lead tube for upward and downward sliding relation limited by the engagement of the opposite ends of the uncut portions with the opposite ends of the slots 17. The inherent normal tendency of the arms is to separate as far as possible and in this condition the grooved portions 26 are sufficiently spaced apart to freely slide over the lead L which is disposed in the lead tube.

A clutch-actuating member 27 in the nature of a slidable collar is mounted on the lead tube and said collar is slotted at diametrically opposite points downwardly from the upper end to provide ,continuous slots enlargedabove as at 28 and reduced below as at 29 and connected by gradual convergenccs as at 30. The upper end of the collar 27 is provided with an enlarged head 31 defining at its juncture with the remaining portion'of the collar, a shoulder 32. A coiled expansion spring 33 is interposed between the shoulder 32v and the sleeve 14 for normally moving the collar 27 axially upward; The outer side edges of the arms 23 are adapted to be engaged respectively by the diametrically disposed slots 28 and 29 of thecollar. The enlarged head 32 of the collar is provided with a central annular. groove 34 and an inner tubular shell 35 is swivelly, connected with the head 32 by an inwardly bent annular head 36. The opposite or upper end of the inner shell 35 projects through the upper endof the outer shell or casing 11 and has frictionally telescoped therethrough a hollowcap 37 the downward movement of which cap is limited by an outturned annular bead 38. The upper end of the inner shell is further closed, if desired, by an eraser 39 which frictionally telescopes within the inner shell and is limited in its downward movement by an inturned annular bead 40. The enlarged head 19 of the lead tube is of a size to approximately fit the internal diameter of the inner shell 35 and between the head 19 andthe eraser 39, the inner shell serves as a magazine for the leads L.

In use and operation, the spring 33 normally moves the collar 27 axially-upward with respect to the lead tube until the outermost ends of the reduced slots 29 engage with the side edges of the arms 23 at which point the arms are advanced toward each other to maintain the groove portions 26 in gripping relation to the lead in the lead tube. The operator grasps the outer casing or shell 11 in the four fingers of the handand with the thumb presses downwardly on the cap 37 to move the inner shell 35 axially downward thereby moving the clutch actuating collar 27 downwardly. The initial movement of the clutch collar 27 downwardly, carries the clutch and the lead L gripped thereby downwardly until the free ends of the uncut terminals 25 engage with the lower or outer ends of the slots 17 in the lead tube. This arrests further downward movement of the clutch and lead, while the clutch actuating collar 27 continues to move until its lower'ends abuts the sleeve 14. This further movement of the clutch actuating collar 27 beyond the movement of the clutch 21, causes the enlarged inner slots 28 to register with the arms 23 of the clutch element and permits the inherent resiliency of the clutch element to separate the arms for releasing the gripping action of the clutch on the lead, while the clutch is at rest. When the operator releases the pressure on the cap 37, the spring 33 functions to slide or move the clutch collar axially upward. The initial movement of the clutch collar upwardly carries the clutch 21 therewith while the side edges of the arms 23 are in the enlarged inner slots 28. When the upper edges of the uncut terminals 25 engage with the upper ends of the slots 17, the clutch element comes to rest While the clutch actuating collar 27 continues to move upwardly to a point where the reduced outer slots 29 function to advance the terminals 25 of the clutch toward each other to again grip the lead in the lead tube. This sets the clutch mechanism for a subsequent operation to feed the lead downwardly through the pencil tip, while looking the lead against upward movement when the pencil is in use.

In operating the pencil it is always advisable to point thetapered end 12 downardly in order that the leads L in the magazine will feed into the upper end of the lead tubeby gravity, By swiveling the inner shell to the clutch-actuating collar, damage to the pencil is prevented in event a user unfamiliar with the mode of use of the pencil should attempt to turn the cap. -Any length leads may be used in the pencil but leads of sufiicient length to extend completely through the lead tube are preferable for the reason that leads of longer lengths when engaged with the clutch mechanism may be projected by the lead-feeding mechanism of the same and to permit tion while cut portions thereof being a pair of laterally projecting ears and a clutch actuatin member having slotted portions cooperating with the ears whereby said member is slidable with and beyond the clutch in opposite directions for moving the clutch therewith in one direction while gripping the lead and in the opposite direcreleased from the lead.

2.,In a magazine'pencil, an outer shell having a tapered end, a lead tube secured to and extending axially inward from the tapered end defining a bore of a diameter approximating the diameter of the l'eadand having its intermediate portion formed with a relatively enlarged bore and provided with diametrically disposed 'slots intersecting said enlarged bore, said lead tube having diametrically disposed exterior grooves extending inwardly in prolongation of said slots, a substantially V-shaped resilient clutch element having a bi ht and a pair of divergent arms, said clutch element being cut away centrally from the bight to a point adjacent the free ends of the arms, the unof a length slightly less than the length of the slots and formed with substantially longitudinal semi-circular grooves of a diameter slightly less than the lead, a clutch actuating collar mounted on the lead tube for sliding movement having diametrically arranged slots, each having an enlarged inner a reduced outer portion. receiving therein and coacting with the outer edges of the clutch arms, means normally. moving the collar inwardly tions of the slot with the clutch arms, whereby to grip the lead to cause its outward movement with the clutchand collar, the clutch being arrested 'in its outward movement by engagment of the free ends of the clutch arms with the outer ends of the lead tube slots, the collar being further movable in said direction until the enlarged inner end of the collar slots aline with the. free ends of the clutch to allow for opening inward movement of the clutch while-released, continued movement of the collar causing the reduced I slotted portions of the collar to contract the portion and to engage the reduced porfree ends of the clutch about subsequent outward movement;

3. A magazine pencil including in combination, a stationary lead tube having an intermediate portion formed with an enlarged bore and provided with diametrically disposed slots intersecting said enlarged bore and a reciprocatory lead feeding mechanism comprising a pair of outwardly spring pressed semi-circular clutch jaws disthe lead for posed within the enlarged bore and of lesser 7 length than the slots, laterally projecting ears on the jaws extending-through the slots and a reciprocatory clutch actuating collarslidable on the lead tube having diametrically disposed slots, each of which has wide and narrow portions cooperating with the ears of the clutch jaws to respectively effect movement of the clutch jaws therewith for a portion of its stroke in one direction -while said jaws are released, and a movement of the jaws therewith for a, portion of its stroke in the opposite direction while said jaws are gripping the lead.

4. In a magazine pencil, astationary lead tube and a reciprocatory lead feeding mechanism including a clutch element comprising a pair of semi-circular outwardly spring pressed gripping jaws defining when in contact with each other an opening having a diameter slightly less than that of the lead, said jaws having laterally projecting ears and a clutch sliding member slidable on the lead tube and having communicatin slotted portions of relatively different wi ths cooperating with the ears of the clutch jaws to respectively effect the movement of the clutch with said member in opposite directions while grippin the'lead and while re- ,7

leased from the lea 5. In a magazine pencil, a stationary lead tube and a reciprocatory lead feeding mechanism includinga'clutch element comprising a pair ofv semi-circular outwardly spring pressed gripping jaws defining when in contact with each other an opening having a diameter slightly less than that of the lead, said jaws having laterally projecting ears and a clutch sliding member slidable on the lead tube and having communicating slotted portions of relatively difl'erent widths cooperating with the ears of the clutch jaws to respectively eifect the movement of directions while gripping the lead and while released from the lead, said member be ing movable beyond the clutch inone direction to cause release of the clutch while the same is at rest andtmovable beyond the clutch in the opposite direction to cause gripping of the lead by said clutch while the same is at rest.

6. A magazine pencil including in com bination, a stationary lead tube having an the clutch with said member in opposite intermediate portion formed with an enlarged bore and provided with a slot intersecting said bore and a reciprocatory lead feeding mechanism comprising a circumferentially contractible normally expanded clutch disposed within the enlarged bore and of lesser len h than'the bore of the slot, means for circumferentially contracting the clutch extending laterally through the slot and a reciprocatory clutch actuating member slidable on the lead tube having means cooperating with the clutch contracting means to respectively eiiect movement of the clutch therewith for a portion of its stroke in one direction while said clutch is vexpanded and movement of the clutch there? with for a portion of its stroke in the opposite direction while the clutch is contracted and gripping the lead.

7. A magazine pencil including in combination, a stationary lead tube having an intermediate portion formed with an enlarged bore and provided with a slot intersecting said bore and a reciprocatory lead feeding mechanism comprising a circumferentially contractiblenormally expanded of New clutch disposed within the enlarged bore and of lesser length than the bore and slot, means for circumferentially' contracting the clutch extending laterally through the slot and a reciprocatory clutch actuating member slidable on the lead tube having means cooperating with the clutch contractin means to respectively efi'ect movement 0? the clutch therewith for a portion of its stroke in one direction while said clutch is expanded and movementof the clutch therewith for a portion of its stroke in the opposite direction while the clutch is contracted and gripping the lead, said member being movable beyond the clutch in one direction to cause expansion and release of the same from the lead while the clutch is at rest and movable beyond the clutch in'the oppo site direction to cause contraction of the clutch and gripping of the lead thereby while saidclutch is at rest.

Signed at New York clty, 1n the county 16th day of July A. D. 1927.

WVILLIAM K. HOLMES.

York and State of New York, this 

